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According to figures from University College of Estate Management – a leading provider of supported online education for the built environment – new apprenticeship enrolments across its programmes at level 4 and above have risen from 319 in the 2018/19 academic year to 672 in 2022/23.
In total, UCEM has 1,917 apprentices studying with it (July 2023), with a further 528 joining in autumn 2023 – just the first of its two intakes for the 2023/24 academic year. Of the 2022/23 intake, around 40% started on BSc real estate or MSc real estate.
That upward trend looks set to continue. In the rural sector, for example, Harper Adams University launched its five-year degree apprenticeship programme in 2018 with an initial cohort of 14 apprentices, who were awarded their degrees in summer 2023. In the 2022/23 academic year, that number increased to 35.
As the success of apprenticeships has grown, so too has the number of organisations they are available in, ranging from smaller regional firms to large national and international property companies and public sector agencies such as the Valuation Office Agency. The number of available pathways has increased too.
Savills, for example, has increased its range of apprenticeship pathways to 19, with apprenticeships offered in marketing, digital design and software development in recent years. Likewise, CBRE has expanded its apprenticeship offer and now includes environmental consultancy, accountancy and HR.
What is driving the growth?
The driving force for many firms has been a desire to increase diversity in the sector, as well as meeting market demand and providing a way into the industry alongside the graduate route.
Many people do not want to study full time at university, are mindful of the financial cost and would prefer to earn a salary while studying.
Apprenticeships also offer the opportunity to apply the theory learnt in lessons into practice and vice versa.
Likewise, they enable apprentices to build networks early on and to benefit from the support of colleagues and mentors, as well as their university tutors. They also offer an opportunity for those already working in the industry to upskill.
All the indications are that they’re working well to support diversity in the workplace and bring a wider group of people into the profession.
At its launch, for example, only around 6% of applications to the CBRE apprenticeship scheme were from female applicants. Today that figure stands at 48%.
This trend is supported at university level. Despite the growth in rural apprenticeships at Harper Adams, for example, full-time student numbers haven’t been affected, indicating the scheme is beginning to attract a different range of people into an area of the profession that has traditionally been difficult to promote to school leavers.
David Hourihan, BSc real estate programme leader at UCEM, agrees. He says: “The introduction of flexible ‘earn as you learn’ apprenticeships has been highly successful in terms of diversity and attracting more talent to the construction and real estate sectors in England. Other countries – such as Ireland – have noticed and will soon introduce their own versions of this apprenticeship scheme.”
The Apprenticeship Levy – paid by large employers with a pay bill of over £3m pa – has also played a part. Every employer who pays it can spend their funds on apprenticeship training. But, significantly, those funds can also be used by smaller employers too.
Those with an annual pay bill of less than £3m pay 5% of the cost of their apprenticeship training and the government pays the rest, enabling far more firms to take on an apprentice.
Is it right for me?
Given the broad range of degree apprenticeships on offer, they are a brilliant option to explore. But keep in mind that combining work and study (typically four days’ work to one day of study over five years) requires good organisation and prioritisation skills and is not right for everyone. If you would prefer to concentrate on your studies and enter the sector later, an apprenticeship may not be right for you.
Once you’ve decided an apprenticeship is the right path, it is important to then consider where you want to do it.
Think about whether a firm’s values match your own and whether there is a good opportunity to learn in that environment.
George Stilgoe, associate director at CBRE and one of its initial cohort of apprentices from 2013, says: “There are a lot of companies offering apprenticeships in lots of different pathways. Explore them all and go with the one that you get the best feel from at interview.”
If you do choose the apprenticeship route, it can be hugely rewarding. As Stilgoe adds: “Five years can feel like a long time, but do it and give it your all.”
Will Robinson, property assessor, Valuation Office Agency
I am currently undertaking the level 6 chartered property surveyor apprenticeship with the Valuation Office Agency, while studying a real estate management degree with University College of Estate Management.
Studying remotely with UCEM allows me to work flexibly and make university fit around work and my personal life. In a typical week I work four days and have one study day to carry out the tasks set by UCEM. The ability to choose my study day makes the workload easier.
In my job as a “check caseworker” I research properties to see if all physical aspects of the property are up to date with our current data and assess whether they need inspecting.
From the data we have, I will then produce a valuation of the property – also known as the “rateable value” – and feed that back to the client who pays business rates on their commercial property.
The modules that UCEM provides cover topics such as valuation principles and construction technology, which cover all elements of the built environment. With my personal goal of investing in property, having the knowledge given by UCEM on activities such as the comparison method of valuation, is invaluable.
Five tips for building your career
Kimberly Hepburn did not know what her career had in store for her when she joined the industry as an apprentice quantity surveyor.
Despite graduating with a first-class honours degree and the highest mark for the quantity surveying BSc in her academic year, she did not imagine going on to work on multi-billion-pound projects, becoming a member of several industry boards and a guest university lecturer, in addition to the day job of being a senior chartered surveyor, line manager and apprentice development lead at Turner & Townsend.
Now a managing consultant at HKA in Dubai, she is almost a decade into her career and shares lessons for post-apprenticeship success.
1. Mentorships are key I have said it before, and I will say it again: quality mentorships are arguably one of the most important ingredients for an amazing career.
The advice, guidance and support my mentors have given me over the past 10 years has been priceless. There hasn’t been a concern, query or random thought I have brought to my mentors that has not been welcomed with well-considered, sound, fantastic counsel – the kind that makes you think “wow… that’s genius” and feel equipped to tackle the next steps towards a solution.
I tell my colleagues to seek at least one internal and one external mentor, so you feel comfortable discussing issues specific to your workplace and can also benefit from the viewpoint of an outsider looking in.
My mentors have three things in common: they are all brilliant, inspiring and lovely leaders. So, if you are unsure of what to look for, I would suggest starting there.
2. Think global Remember that there are opportunities available to work in property and construction globally.
One of the main attractions of the built environment to me was how widespread its impact is on all aspects of our society, all across the world.
I always challenge myself and my mentees to remain open-minded, curious and enthusiastic about the industry – and be careful not to fall into the trap of being stuck, narrow-minded and resistant to change – if they want to have an above-ordinary or extraordinary career in our industry.
3. Be highly self-motivated One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received is simple: “You are responsible for your own development”.
This was a game-changer for my mindset. I see many apprentices make the mistake of not creating the career they desire as they think their path is already written in stone through apprenticeship standards, guidelines and their end-point assessment.
Realise that your personal development transcends your apprenticeship – do not become complacent and instead fully embrace the development freedom you are granted post-apprenticeship.
I encourage you to keep learning, identify your areas for improvement, understand your worth and show your employer that you are highly self-motivated and take your personal development and career seriously.
4. Prioritise chartered status In order to become chartered and unlock significant career opportunities, prioritise gaining experience that is:
- client-facing;
- across the full project life cycle; and
- aligned with the RICS’ assessment of professional competence requirements.
I have been fortunate to work on many flagship projects varying in scale, complexity and value with high-profile clients in London, including my favourite to date: the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station.
That was a large-scale, mixed-use, multi-billion-pound scheme combining luxury real estate with world-class infrastructure, where I provided procurement, contract and cost advice.
This project turbocharged my competence and took my experience to the next level – it was a career-defining project that ultimately led me to become chartered. In my first role post-chartership, I was a commercial manager at HS2, responsible for the contract administration, change management and cost forecasting of a £740m work package within a multi-billion-pound contract.
5. Enjoy the journey Last, but never least, enjoy the journey, embrace the process and make it count.
Take time to reflect on what you want from your career, why you want it and how you plan to achieve it. Then do not be afraid to take risks, remain flexible and deviate from the grand masterplan – some of the best opportunities for an amazing career will come unexpectedly.
Toby Read, assistant surveyor, David James
I’m a fifth-year apprentice, who has recently completed my university studies in rural enterprise and land management and is soon to undertake the assessment of professional competence, together with an examination to become a fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.
I am now coming to the end of my rural chartered surveying apprenticeship in partnership with Harper Adams University and my employer, David James.
After my A-levels, I was keen to start earning a salary and the opportunity to do this while obtaining qualifications was well-suited to my goals.
Studying at Harper Adams University for eight weeks of the year through one-week release blocks has allowed me to develop my academic understanding of rural surveying and apply that practically to work situations.
There is a requirement for 20% of my full-time employment to be categorised as “off-the-job” training, which includes university studies, completing coursework and exams, and learning activities at work (for example, shadowing and training days).
Throughout this process, it has been important to manage my time between university and work, allowing me to develop the skills that I can use in my post-qualification career.
This route has many benefits, including the ability to apply practical knowledge through work-related activities to academic studies, as well as enjoying university life while earning a salary.
There are a couple of ways that the funding works but, in my case, the majority of the degree cost is covered by the government and offers a useful incentive to both the employer and employee to pursue this route.
Although the route requires a high level of time management to meet both work and university-related deadlines, the support received from colleagues and course tutors allows the apprentice to stay on track.
Jade Martin, property manager, Rushton Hickman
In 2020, I joined Rushton Hickman – a firm of chartered surveyors in Burton upon Trent – as a commercial property administrator. I was then given the opportunity to move to a position within the property management department, where I deal with the management of approximately 450 properties for our retained clients.
Essentially, being a property manager is taking care of properties and tenants on behalf of the owners. It is a role that can open a lot of doors as it provides the opportunity to learn a breadth of industry knowledge, advancing personal and professional development.
Working in property management has taught me to think on my feet and expect the unexpected. I have developed core leadership skills, enabling me to work closely with the directors to implement changes across the business, as well as managing and leading a small team of colleagues.
I chose a higher apprenticeship as I believe they are a fantastic way of combining professional experience with education.
Typically, 20% of my working hours are dedicated to studying remotely via University College of Estate Management and training, with some additional time spent studying in my own time.
By working alongside experienced colleagues and learning on the job, I have already gained valuable skills and experience, with the added benefit of being paid at the same time – unlike more traditional routes such as college and university.
On completion of this five-year RICS-accredited apprenticeship and successfully undertaking the assessment of professional competence, I will be qualified as a chartered surveyor.
To send feedback, e-mail sarah.jackman@eg.co.uk or tweet @EGPropertyNews
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